Today the roar of the banger boats, and the black smoke was an unwelcome sight to dolphin advocates on the ground in Taiji, Japan as the dolphin hunting boats known as moved into formation. Twitter became alive with Tweets as The Ric O’Barry Dolphin Project and other activists reported a large pod of pilot whales was being forced into the infamous killing cove. It wouldn’t be until the nets were drawn that bottlenose dolphins, most desired by SeaWorld, and friends to stock marine parks and aquariums would be noted within the pod.

In 2009 the documentary, “The Cove” staring Ric O’Barry would be released exposing the terrible capture and slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. The world was shocked to watch dolphins, who science have determined are highly intelligent beings divided destroyed. The young and strong were selected for captivity, while their parents and grandparents were slaughtered for meat, and fertilizer. The entire process was so obviously cruel and inhumane that many thought it would end following the release of, “The Cove” and then it’s academy award win in 2010 for best documentary would give it even more impact but sadly that would not be the case. Sponsored by the captive industry in order to fill orders for marine parks the hunt would continue with captures escalating. Young dolphins would be hoisted into slings headed for captivity whilst their parents were simultaneously, slowly slaughtered.

In 2011 the Ric O’Barry Dolphin Project representative, wildlife photographer and storm chaser Brian Barnes was on the ground in Taiji. His footage of a mass pilot whales suicide would shock the world as the hunters stood by and laughed as whales threw their huge bodies against the rocks to avoid being dragged to a slow death under the blue tarps now associated with terrible dolphin suffering.

The supposed, “Fisherman” claimed this was Western foolishness, propaganda. They took every stop possible to cover up what went on once a dolphin was dragged beneath their tarps. Again though the terrible suffering would be exposed by Dieter Hagmann of Atlantic Blue in Europe. His time elapsed secret footage would prove once and for all that these dolphins were suffering beyond any slaughter known. Behind the blue tarps a striped dolphin would have a steel blade driven behind his or her blow hole. Then the “Fisherman” drove bamboo pegs into the wounds to slow the bleeding in order to hide their work. For approximately 10 minutes the dolphin flays, twisting and writhing as the butcher heartlessly slices this highly intelligent being slowly, showing no empathy or emotion for such obvious and terrible suffering. The footage was later analyzed by a board of scientists whose finding were featured in the Huffington Post: Several veterinarians and behavioral scientists who watched a covertly recorded video wrote, “This killing method… would not be tolerated or permitted in any regulated slaughterhouse process in the developed world.” That includes Japan, oddly enough.

On January 17, 2014 a mega pod of bottlenose dolphins would be driven into the cove. Within the center of this pod was a mother with a rare albino dolphin calf. Mother and daughter clung together until the following morning when at day break International Marine Mammal Animal Trainers and the dolphin hunters roared into the cove to begin three long days of dolphin hell and suffering as mothers and juveniles were separated, the youths were hauled away in slings for over seas SeaWorld’s and marine parks whilst watching their mothers and fathers slowly dying in the red tinged water.

The images of the mega pod slaughter and capture, and the albino dolphin now dubbed, “Angel” would be imprinted on the world forever. As the days of horror unfolded Carolyn Kennedy Ambassador to Japan would Tweet:

Following Carolyn Kennedy’s Tweet on January 22, 2014 Anderson Cooper 360 spoke with Ric O’Barry, director of the Ric O’Barry Dolphin Project, who argues the killing “is not traditional, it is not cultural, and it’s time to end this.”

Despite the growing awareness and the constant presence of the dolphin activists documenting and reporting on the capture and slaughter against these highly intelligent beings the dolphin drive continues. In addition, while SeaWorld may be failing in the United States because of the powerful documentary “Blackfish” that exposes the truth behind the death of Dawn Branchau and the abuse and exploitation of killer whales they are in fact expanding. SeaWorld has a contract with Samsung to build a mega size dolphinarium in South Korea, the Middle East, and China countries where they would easily be able to purchase wild dolphins captured from Taiji with the support of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums who depend on Taiji wild captured dolphins to stock their display facilities.

Ric O’Barry has spent a lifetime trying to undo the captive industry that he had helped to design almost a life time ago. Now he stands at the cove along with other activists documenting what was once a secret kept from the world. As the nets were drawn into place by the hunters to hold the dolphins and whales overnight prior to tomorrows early morning selection for marine parks and slaughter, Ric had this to say:

The string of “blue cove days” ended September 16, 2014 as an innocent pod of Risso’s dolphins was driven into a remote cove in a state park in Taiji, Japan where a handful of men captured, and then slaughtered the entire pod. The yearly capture and slaughter of dolphins was made famous in 2009 when the documentary, “The Cove” was released revealing the inhumane and cruel treatment of these highly intelligent beings whose lives are destroyed for aquariums, food, and fertilizer. The hunt that takes place each year from September until March is brutal, grueling, cruel and deadly for the dolphin victims that attempt to travel past Taiji, Japan located in the Wakayama, Prefecture.

For several hours the pod of Risso’s dolphins fought bravely for their lives but sadly they were no match for the hunters with their high powered Mercury engines and banger poles. The family was driven into the cove, pushed under the killing tarps, and then were quickly transported to the butchers house, the entrance known as “Death’s Door”.

Takayo-san will be our next guest on Dolphin Talk Radio! This rising Japanese activist has dedicated her life to saving dolphins and animals worldwide! Please listen and call in with your questions on Tuesday 10PM EST, 7PM PST, and 11:00 Tokyo time!

Takayo was deeply moved upon seeing the plight of the dolphins in Taiji when viewing the Academy Award-winning documentary, “The Cove.”

Since then she has dedicated her life to saving these and other precious creatures. Takayo has done extensive research on the destruction of sea life and established “One Ocean, One Breath,” an organization dedicated to protecting aquatic animals.

She has worked tirelessly investigating the illegal sale of whale and dolphin meat in Japan, and has been in constant contact with numerous Taiji officials. Takayo has been chosen to be a representative for Japan at the upcoming Asia Animal Conference. The purpose of this coalition is to have united power to lobby the various organizations and governments that deal with captive dolphins.

Takayo has received support from all over the world and is eager to spread the message far beyond Japan.

Once the show starts there will a “Skype” logo where you can listen but also call in to the show for our overseas listeners. Please wait until we announce that the phone bank is open. Guest Call-in number is (424) 675-8287

“Ric O’Barry’s mission is to put an end to dolphin exploitation and slaughter once and for all. Dolphins are regularly captured, harassed, slaughtered and sold into captivity around the world – all in the name of profit. The Dolphin Project was founded In 1970, a group that aims to educate the public about captivity and, where feasible, free captive dolphins. O’Barry works not only to halt these slaughters in countries around the world, but also to rehabilitate captive dolphins, investigate and advocate for economic alternatives to dolphin slaughter exploitation, and to put a permanent end to dolphin captivity.

The Dolphin Project has achieved many important victories for dolphins over the years. We brought the world’s attention to brutal drive hunts taking place along the coast of Japan, as seen in the 2009 Academy Award-winning feature documentary “The Cove,” ; we successfully negotiated for an end to dolphin slaughter in the Solomon Islands; we and we continue to raise awareness that captivity is cruel.

Ric O’Barry has been working towards there goals for over 40 years, and he continues his quest to put an end to dolphin suffering. Be sure to stay tuned for information on how you can get involved and make a difference”. (Source, Dolphin Project Facebook)

Shannon Richards a third grade, teacher and triathlon athlete did a fantastic job of sharing her passion as she participates in grueling triathlons in support of dolphins in captivity. In her bio this is what she said: “I feel like I am just an ordinary person who wants to make the world a better place, like many of us do. I love being inspired by others, and I strive to inspire others to find their passions and fulfill them, no matter how silly or insignificant they may be. My passions are teaching, loving animals, and competing in triathlons. I got this crazy idea to combine them all after seeing Blackfish and The Cove. Why not raise awareness for cetaceans in captivity while I am training and racing? In doing so, I feel like I am helping these dolphins and whales in some small way by causing people to stop and wonder why captivity is so wrong for these beautiful animals. If I can reach one person by running down the street, or riding my bike with “Ric O Barry’s Dolphin Project” logo on my back, I feel like I am one step closer to helping end captivity for them. Ending cetacean captivity is something I feel very strongly about, and I am so glad I have found such a great cause to help keep me motivated! I have made some wonderful new friends around the world, and I have also helped educate my family and friends, who in turn pass this information on to others. My plan is to continue to race for dolphins and whales and reach all the people I can until all the tanks are empty” (Shannon Richards, Tri for Change)Listen to Shannon’s story HERE!

Jennifer Wolfsong an attorney spoke about her drive to help dolphins after seeing the 2009 documentary on Netflix called, “The Cove”: I happened upon the movie, “The Cove” about 3 and a half years ago when I was surfing Netflix. It disturbed me so much that I couldn’t think about anything else. I didn’t sleep for weeks because I couldn’t get those horrible images out of my head. I decided I had to do something, something drastic to catch people’s attention. I have been a runner since high school so a running event seemed the natural choice. In 2011 I started training to run 100 miles on Sept. 1, 2012, the start of Taiji’s dolphin hunting season. I ended up shortening my goal to 100k (61 miles) but with the hopes of running 100 miles in the future. I did successfully run 100km in Sept 2012 and raised more than $3,000 for Save Japan Dolphins. I was unable to do a 100 mile run in 2013 but late in 2013 I started training again, this time to complete a 100 mile race this September.

Please join us on the new Dolphin Talk Radio featuring your hosts Barbara Napoles and Kirsten Massebeau as they interview Shannon Richards a triathlon athlete and Jennifer Wolfsong a marathon runner who have dedicated their races to saving dolphins. Inspired by “Blackfish” and “The Cove” both Jennifer and Shannon have inspirational journeys to share as they talk about how they became involved in the fight to save dolphins from capture, captivity and slaughter.

The Tuesday August 5, 2014 Dolphin Talk Radio Show entitled “Athletes Running for Dolphin Freedom” will begin at 11pm Eastern time and 8pm Pacific time. Call in with your questions and comments (424) 675-8287. Dolphin Talk Radio is a way to stand up, speak out and make a difference for dolphins worldwide. Together we can make a difference! Mark your calendars and have a listen!

On July 12, 2014 temperatures reached 102 degrees fahrenheit in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unbeknownst to many 10 dolphins are trapped in the Mojave desert far from the ocean. Despite the many dolphin deaths the Mirage hotel and casino’s, “Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat“, also know as the, “Dolphin Death Pool” continues to be restocked. The dolphins imprisoned in the Mirage’s “Dolphin Death Pool”, continue to prove the desert is no place for highly intelligent and social, ocean animals by failing to thrive, and dying after their long work days entertaining guests for profit at the MGM Resort in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.

“Take a VIP tour, Trainer for a day image”, taken by Cindy Seip SplashFoto, July 5, 2014

In 2013 was a breakthrough for the dolphins suffering in the Mirage as Facebook page Free The Mojave Dolphins from the Mirage. Creator Shelly Rae and co- administrator Cecilia LaBar Mialon are now making waves in Las Vegas documenting and fighting for the dolphins imprisoned at the MGM Resorts Mirage. Their Facebook page, events and petitions are drawing worldwide attention.

“This petition proposes its readers to urge the Mirage to prepare a plan to provide shade and/or relocate the dolphins to a facility that mimics the dolphins natural environment. These creatures belong in the ocean, not in the middle of the desert. If they are truly a research and educational facility they would not need to be located on the Las Vegas Strip”! (source)

Dolphins do NOT belong in the Desert (Mirage Hotel Dolphins from Martyn Stewart on Vimeo. “A twenty-four year sentence” “The Polynesian themed resort known as ‘The Mirage’ has been keeping dolphins captive for the past twenty-four years. Twenty-Two dolphins have been confined to a life of unnatural and tragic existence since the “habitat” opening in 1990. Twelve have perished including babies and four wild caught. That’s an astonishing 55% death rate giving the facility the nickname of “The Dolphin Death Pool”. Here is a list of the dolphins that have died there since its opening in 1990: * Rascal – age 4 – Death unknown * Darla – age 18 – Died from chronic pancreatitis * Squirt – age 15 – Died from respiratory ailment * Picabo – age 18 – Died suddenly from internal tear in its stomach * Bugsy – age 3 – Died from pulmonary abscess * No name – Stillborn * No name – 2 week old calf – died from pulmonary edema * Sigma – age 32 – Died from heart failure * Banjo – age 32 – Died from heart failure * Merlin – age 40 (estimate) – died from pneumonia * Sage – age 11 – death unknown * St. Pepper – age 2 – lung infection The causes for such a high mortality rate is due mainly to stress related diseases and perhaps the extreme summer temperatures as high as 118 degrees. (source)

Martyn Stewart wildlife photographer recently visited the, “Dolphin Death Pool” documenting pox marks on dolphins languishing in the summer heat. In an interview with Champions for Cetaceans he had this to say about trainers and staff at the “Secret Dolphin Habitat”: “The many things that were said to me still stick in my mind like “We feed the dolphins Restaurant quality fish” Do they really believe this stuff that comes out of their mouths! If a dolphin had a choose, would he catch it in the wild alive or book a table in a restaurant to eat!! Its preposterous”!(Martyn Stewart)

“This is a sad still from a video I took today at the mirage in Vegas. This dolphin was going back and forward biting the gate and concrete that separates the two pools in the secret garden. I asked one of the “Educators” why is he doing this? She replied “He likes the sound of his teeth rubbing against the concrete and metal, maybe the taste too!! The woman called the “educator” had only been in the job 2 weeks and she said “in the wild, they don’t have the benefits we provide for these animals like hoops and balls!!!! I will tell them how i feel when i leave this god forsaken place…. until then, i will let them play the dickhead in the show because they are really good at it”! (Martyn Stewart)